1988 MERCURY TRACER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
22
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1988 MERCURY TRACER
The 1988 MERCURY TRACER has received a total of 22 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP. The most commonly reported problems involve the Seat Beltsfrontretractor (5 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (3 complaints), and Power Trainaxle Assembly (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1988 MERCURY TRACER
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1988 MERCURY TRACER, potentially affecting up to 331,491 vehicles.
Recall 95V103011 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
| 265,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE...
View full details →Recall 89V085000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
| 66,300 vehicles affected
Defect: SOME LAP SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS WERE BUILT WITH CERTAIN OUT OF TOLERANCE COMPONENTS.
Consequence: RETRACTORS MAY LOCK AT LOW BELT PULL OUT RATES, THISCOULD DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USAGE.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT LAP SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES, AS NECESSARY.
View full details →Recall 87V092000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
| 191 vehicles affected
Defect: INCORRECT FUEL FILLER NECK ATTACHMENT SCREWS WERE USED TO ATTACH THE NECK TO THE REAR QUARTER PANELS.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A RATTLE BETWEEN THE FUELFILLER PIPE AND THE SURROUNDING BODY STRUCTURE.
Remedy: REPLACE INCORRECT SCREWS WITH NEW BOLT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1988 MERCURY TRACER
22 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 MERCURY TRACER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Beltsfrontretractor | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainaxle Assembly | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignitionswitch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontwebbing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Airdisccaliper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS' RETRACTOR MECHNISM HAVE FAILED-THEY LOCK AT LOW PULL OUT RATE. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT (800-392-3673/DUANE). I REPEATLY MENTIONED TO THEM NHTSA'S CAMPAIGN ID NO: 89V085000 BUT BOTH FORD AND MY LOCAL DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN A RECALL AFTER I HAVE GIVEN THEM MY VIN NUMBER AND AFTER THEY SEARCHED THEIR DATA BASE FOR RECALLS. MY CARE WAS MAKE IN JAN, 88 WHICH FALLS INTO THE RIGHT TIME PERIOD AND I HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY FRONT SEAT BELTS. ONLY RECENTLY DID I SAW NHTSA'S WEB SITE AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL THE SEAT BELTS IN MY CAR. I THINK I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BY FORD. PLEASE CONTACT FORD FOR ME AS MY CAR IS INOPERABLE NOW WITHOUT FUNCTIONING SEAT BELTS. THANKS.*AK
THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 5577, SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKED UP AT LOW BELT PULLOUT RATES, WHICH DISCOURAGED SEAT BELT USE. DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK
BRAKE CALIPER SEALS FAILED CAUSING FLUID LOSS AND BRAKE FAILURE.
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED ACCIDENT.
Safety Rating for the 1988 MERCURY TRACER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 MERCURY TRACER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 MERCURY TRACER
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 MERCURY TRACER
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1988 MERCURY TRACER.
Other Model Years of the MERCURY TRACER
- 1987 MERCURY TRACER — 0 complaints
- 1988 MERCURY TRACER (current)
- 1989 MERCURY TRACER — 20 complaints
- 1990 MERCURY TRACER — 2 complaints
- 1991 MERCURY TRACER — 76 complaints
- 1992 MERCURY TRACER — 26 complaints
- 1993 MERCURY TRACER — 114 complaints
Other MERCURY Models
- MERCURY SABLE — 7,190 total complaints
- MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS — 4,949 total complaints
- MERCURY MILAN — 3,211 total complaints
- MERCURY COUGAR — 2,646 total complaints
- MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 2,646 total complaints
- MERCURY VILLAGER — 2,205 total complaints
- MERCURY MARINER — 1,716 total complaints
- MERCURY MYSTIQUE — 1,510 total complaints